Picatinny employee named Army Materiel Command's small business specialist of the year

By Ms. Audra Calloway (AMC)January 20, 2010

Picatinny employee named Army Materiel Command's small business specialist of the year
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Teresa W. Gerton, Acting Executive Deputy to the Army Materiel Command Commanding General, and Eric Bankit, Associate Director of the Office of Small Business Programs for the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Managem... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - A Picatinny employee was recently honored as the Army Materiel Command's best small business specialist of 2009 during a ceremony at the 13th Annual Small Business Conference in McLean, Va., Dec. 3.

Eric Bankit, Associate Director of the Office of Small Business Programs for the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command here, received the award for his dedication and leadership in exceeding small business program goals said Army Materiel Command Commanding General Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody in an Oct. 29, 2009, memo announcing the award.

Army small business offices ensure that small businesses have the maximum opportunity possible when competing for contracts with the Army.

"Under his leadership, the (Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command) achieved an increase in dollars obligated for small business from the prior year and surpassed the recommended small business goal," she said.

"AMC has led the way for the Army small business, so to get that kind of recognition floored me," Bankit said of his recent award.

Bankit said last year, more than 30 percent of Picatinny's U.S. business went to small businesses. The goal was around 24 percent.

The definition of a small business varies by specialty. For instance a small-arms manufacturer with less than 500 employees is considered a small business. However, an engineering house is determined to be a small business based on the amount of dollars transacted, not employee numbers.

While large businesses provide many essential contributions to Picatinny, Bankit said some potential assets of small businesses could include increased focus and attention from the company and substantial innovation.

Small businesses are full of ideas, producing on average 13 to 14 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms, he said.

"The entire atmosphere here at Picatinny is one of innovation and because innovation is found in small businesses we're successful," he said. "That's where we're finding technology - in the small businesses."

Picatinny leadership has emphasized reaching out to small businesses, which has been an important part of the program's success here, Bankit said.

"Having that kind of support makes my job a lot easier," he said.

In July Bankit was selected by former JM&L LCMC commander then-Brig. Gen. William Phillips to serve as a Project Manager for the Commander's Emergency Response Program at the Joint Contracting Command- Iraq.

While serving as the PM CERP in Baghdad, Iraq, Bankit used his program-management skills to stream-line and enhance the CERP program.

While Bankit wasn't overseas for small business reasons, he said he was able to see the fruits of small businesses every day.

"When I'm there in the war zone, when I'm walking to work I could see the products of small businesses," Bankit said. "Most people have no real feel for the contribution (of small business), specifically to the warfighter. And it's integral to everything the warfighter uses."

Related Links:

Picatinny Arsenal Web site